The Backpack Drop Zone: One Sixth-Grade Truth That Exposed Our Quiet Crisis

one foot still in the hall, like he wasn’t sure he belonged in this room without the duffel bag’s permission.

“Mrs. Baker?” he said quietly.

“Yes, honey?” I replied, and the word honey slipped out before I could stop it.

His eyes flicked to the empty hook.

“They took it,” he said.

“I know,” I whispered.

He swallowed hard. His hands shoved deep into his hoodie continue reading …